DIY: M5 Front Bumper Conversion...

[415Banker]

*** DIY done many eons ago =)***

It's been almost three months since I had ordered this bumper...and finally I found time to install it. we have many write ups of how to do the DIY on this forum, but nothing really was detailed. most of them are actually bits and pieces of the whole conversion...this afternoon I installed the m5 bumper, active autowerkes brake vent, and a retrofitted pair of 8000k HID fogs..

here goes nothing!
0. washed the car and took pre-conversion pictures...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3345.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3356.jpg

1. prepare all the goodies...made sure the bumper is laid on bubble wrap to avoid scratching...also placed the the fog light housing and border (bulb not yet) and the aa brake vent onto the spikes that hold the vent all around...don't worry about it falling, itll eventually be held tight by the radiator vent.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3381.jpg

2. then unscrewed two bolts. one located on each fender liner...i then snapped off the moldings, which can easily done with a screwdriver wrapped with a paper shop towel (to avoid scratching the paint on the old bumper).
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3384.jpg

[415Banker]

3. there are 6 visible plastic rivets and 4 rivets underneath the bumper. push in the middle inserts of these rivets, then pull out the remaining.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3383.jpg

4. to take the foglights off, remove two plastic rivets on each brake vent by pulling out the middle parts then pull the main rivet. then pull the plastic vents off from top to down. unscrew the 2 bolts on each fog light. unplug the light from the h7 connector.

5. for the main event, i suggest pulling one side of the bumper after the other. make sure you have bubble wrap or a towel below for a safe landing. set the bumper aside. remove the weather seal from the top portion of the old bumper and place them on the new bumper.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3385.jpg

6. cut the h7 connector and replace it with 9006 connectors. this portion of the process was the trickiest for me since i was also doing an HID conversion. i then had to place the HID ballast as close as possible to the fog light locations. for the right side, i was able to find a bolt right above the brake vent area to attach the ballast harness. on the left side, i found a bolt to secure the other HID ballast harness right behind the bumper's main frame.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3387.jpg

7. did all the proper connections and tested the lights if they worked.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3388.jpg

[415Banker]

8. time for the new bumper! i have my lights prepped with the bulb already attached to the main fog light housings and fog light borders. since i worked alone, i had a difficult time. prior to adjusting bumper on the securing side hooks, i had the fog lights connected, dangling, and already attached to the bumper...i screwed one bolt on the right side. once centered, i screwed the other bolt on to the left fender liner...i had much difficulty with the latter side so i decided to remove headlight housing for a better snug fit, then placed the headlight back on. i then placed the rivets on from center and slowly worked my way to each side...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3389.jpg

9. i then covered up the rivets by popping the new moldings on. pretty hard if working alone. but i suggest working with another buddy to get the centering of the bumper faster!

10. pull out a cigarette and just stare at the final product. voila!
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3410.jpg

[Mattie]

that looks really good. nice write up.

[brandon5069]

Good stuff, Jo!!!

I'm sure you're like me now....I can get these bumpers off within 10min and have it back on within 15...LOL!

[415Banker]

that looks really good. nice write up.

Good stuff, Jo!!!

I'm sure you're like me now....I can get these bumpers off within 10min and have it back on within 15...LOL!

thanks guys =)...

and nope i still like taking my time doing stuff like this =P!

[///NEM3SES]

Very Nice writeup Jo, that is one sexy wagon! :hail:

[415Banker]

Very Nice writeup Jo, that is one sexy wagon! :hail:

Thank you very much sir...Yes, Willis definitely was a looker...too bad all that work ended up like this:

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/2007-11-24%20thanksgivng/IMG_3877.jpg

[Laidback]

very nice write up Jo:)